The fall of 2008 saw many changes in the world of professional wrestling. It started off with the retirment of long-time WWE star Kane at Survivor Series. Then unexpectly during the summer, Panda Energy Inc. pulled out of it's partnership with TNA due to the struggling economic times. The promotion struggled to stay afloat but after Slammiversary, the promotion closed it doors for good after it couldn't find anybody to take their place.After the promotion's closing, the forever shrewed businessman, Vince McMahon bought the rights to the company, once again squashing the competition.

Going into the 2009 Royal Rumble, wrestling fans were excited with rumors of ex-TNA stars debuting on the show but the show ended with only the return of Kurt Angle as the surpise 30th entrant. The return of Angle didn't stop the Undertaker from winning the chance to headline Wrestlemania. The World Heavyweight Champion, John Cena and the WWE Heavyweight Champion, Triple H, now faced their stiffest challenge ever.

Finally, The Undertaker made his choice, opting to face off with Cena while Triple H got pitted against his former Evolution stable mates Batista and Randy Orton in a three way match for his title. It was also announced that Mr. McMahon himself, will headline the Hall of Fame ceremonies with his own induction. Wrestlemain 25 was shaping up as the most historic ever.

The next night on RAW, the WWE was shocked as Vince McMahon announced his retirement from the WWE. He discussed his decision for his successor as the leader of the WWE was decided as Stephanie and Shane have both proved themselves as worthy replacements. He issued a challenge to both sibling to find a wrestler to represent them at Backlash. Stephanie chose no other then her own husband and WWE Champion, Triple H while Shane countered with the World Heavyweight Champion, The Undertaker. With both champions schedule to meet, Vince decided to make it a truly all or nothing scenario with making it into a unification match with one man unifiying both titles. Whoever walked out of Backlash the champion will seal the fate of the WWE.

The Backlash pay per view was a hit as The Undertaker battled Triple H in an epic No-DQ match. Undertaker gained control late and hit the Tombstone Piledriver as Shane mocked Stephanie at ringside but before the referee counted HHH out , we saw Edge come out with a steel chair and attack the Undertaker from behind, seriously injuring him and cashing in his MITB contract by pinning Triple H. Shane and Stephanie didn't know what this would mean as neither of their wrestlers walked out the champion.

On the next RAW a disappointed Vince McMahon appeared and called out both of his children. He shocked everyone by saying that Undertaker had Triple H beat and awarded the keys to the WWE kingdom to Shane McMahon. Shane once again mocked his sister as he celebrated. While Shane celebrated, Vince pulled a suprise as he announced that although Shane was the leader of the WW, Stephanie was going to be the leader of the new WCW. Stephanie looked confused at that announcement as the WCW didn't have a roster or anything else. Vince went out to state that Smackdown will now become the new WCW. The fans went wild as the two McMahons stared at each other in the ring as Vince left a WWE ring for the last time.

Shane and Stephanie quickly made their own mark with cutting the amount of pay per views down to six. The WWE would have Summer Slam and Survivor Series while WCW will have Great American Bash and Starrcade. The Wrestlemania and Royal Rumble shows will see both companies represented. They also announced that ECW will be changing to all-diva format renamed easily, DIVAS. Also both RAW and the new Friday Nitro would be split into two different shows. RAW would air with a PG rating at 9pm but then turn into WAR at 10pm with a MA rating, Nitro would do the same with switching to Xplosion at 9pm. This they hoped would please the younger and more mature WWE audience giving them a taste of both worlds.

But the biggest announcement came with the major title's decision. Since Edge was the unified World Champion and screwed both of the new owners, he was left with the belt but no show, in turn it was made official that the World Champion would defend the title in both companies based on who the number one contender was at that time. WWE and WCW would crown their own respective heavyweight champions to be exclusive to their own shows also. All other champions was stripped off the respective titles as tournaments were announced to decided the new champions. A WWE Crusierweight title, WCW Television title, DIVAS Intercontinental title and DIVA Tag Team titles were added to the mix.

Finally the roster took shape as wrestlers were released, the fomer TNA stars finally debuting, signing free agents and the draft taking place. The new roster was this.